Stricter animal cruelty laws backed

Animal cruelty laws should be strengthened, with harsher punishments for people inflicting harm on wildlife, a government consultation has found.

In response to Scottish Government proposals to impose longer sentences and bigger fines on people committing wildlife offences, 97 per cent agree the maximum penalties should be increased.

Prison sentences being increased from six months to five years for the worst offences was backed by 94 per cent of respondents while 85 per cent were also in favour of raising fines from £5,000 to £40,000.

The Scottish Government proposed the changes in the Animal Health and Welfare Amendment Bill, announced in the Programme for Government, and held a public consultation.